A New Purpose

Working for Grizz Co had always been about survival. The adrenaline rush of battling wave after wave of Salmonids kept me on my toes, and the promise of a decent paycheck was enough motivation for most. But since Jun Lin returned, everything had shifted. Grizz Co wasn’t just a job anymore—it was something I loved doing, something that felt like it had a deeper purpose. Knowing she was there, watching over me, gave me strength during every battle.

The work was tough, no doubt about it. Each day was a struggle, but in the back of my mind, I knew that once my shift ended, I would see her waiting for me at the docks or in the med bay. That alone was enough to keep me going. Her presence was like a balm to my soul, soothing every ache and scar I earned from the battlefield. She wasn’t just a doctor; she was my doctor, always there with a smile that could heal even the deepest wounds.

Jun Lin

Jun Lin never fought alongside us in the field, but her role was no less important. The medical bay became a sanctuary for exhausted fighters like me. I’d watch from afar as she diligently tended to the wounded, her light blue ink standing out in the sterile environment, like a beacon of calm in the chaos.

It was hard to believe that someone as fierce as her had saved me not once, but twice. She’d healed my body after the accident and now, in her quiet, steady way, she was healing my heart. We didn’t need words for it. Just seeing her there at the end of the day, bandages in hand, a gentle touch on my shoulder—it was enough.

Sometimes I would catch her glancing at me when she thought I wasn’t looking, her expression soft and full of something I couldn’t quite name. But I knew the feeling well enough. It mirrored what I felt when I saw her—the gratitude, the awe that she had returned.

A New Beginning

Outside of Grizz Co, Jun Lin and I found moments of normalcy in a world that often felt anything but normal. We were both busy—her with her medical work, me with my shifts at Grizz Co—but we made time for each other. Those moments, however brief, felt like the most important part of my day.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

We would meet after work, our tiredness evaporating the moment we locked eyes. Some days, we’d grab a coffee at a cozy café hidden in the bustling streets of Splatsville. I loved watching her relax in those moments, her guard down, her laugh light and carefree. We’d sit for hours, talking about anything and everything—catching up on lost time but also creating new memories, brick by brick.

Other nights, we’d catch a movie, something lighthearted to help us escape from the realities of our demanding lives. Sitting next to her in the dim light of the theater, I could forget about Grizz Co, the battles, and even the past. It was just us, navigating this new beginning together.

Haggle Fish Market

But if there was one place that truly became ours, it was the Haggle Fish Market during the Night Market rush. There was something magical about those nights. The air was filled with the scent of freshly grilled seafood, merchants shouting their deals, and the laughter of people enjoying the evening. It was chaotic, yet somehow peaceful when we were together.

We’d wander through the market stalls, shoulders brushing as we walked, our conversations flowing as naturally as the tide. I loved watching her eyes light up whenever we tried something new—a weird fish we couldn’t pronounce, a spicy dish that left us both reaching for water.

The Night Market was where we laughed the most, haggling for deals we didn’t even need, indulging in small joys that felt like treasures. It was where we were free from the responsibilities of our work and the heaviness of our past. These moments were what made everything worthwhile.

The Warrior and the Doctor

I couldn’t help but think about how poetic it all felt—the warrior and the doctor, two sides of the same coin. During the day, I fought the battles at Grizz Co, facing down the dangers of the Salmonids, but at night, it was Jun Lin who fought to heal the wounds left behind.

There was something deeply comforting about the way we balanced each other. She healed the physical, but more than that, she healed something deeper within me—the part that had been aching since the day she left. And though she never said it outright, I could feel that I did the same for her.

These quiet moments, these shared nights at the Haggle Fish Market, the cups of coffee after long shifts, the laughter during movie nights—they were our way of mending, of moving forward. Together, we had built something new, something strong.

I was still the warrior, and she was still the doctor, but now we were more than just those roles. We were partners, navigating a world that had once seemed so full of uncertainty. Now, with her by my side, the path ahead seemed a little clearer, and a lot more hopeful.